Olathe West's first-ever girls flag football team opened its season with a 7-6 victory on Sept. 2.

Twenty-nine players joined the Owls' new program, splitting into varsity and junior varsity squads. The team is part of a statewide wave.

The Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) board of directors voted 61-1 on April 23 to sanction girls flag football starting with the 2026-27 school year. Kansas became the 18th state to offer the sport, and more than 50 teams formed across the state, according to KCTV5.

The Kansas City Chiefs backed the push through their "Let HER Play" petition, which drew more than 11,000 signatures before the vote, according to the Owl Post, Olathe West's student newspaper.

Head coach Dee Bell, an Olathe West social studies teacher and former boys football coach, said his daughter's decision to play helped draw him back to the sideline. Bell stepped away from coaching about five years ago when his children's schedules got busy, he told the Owl Post. He called the new program "an opportunity to get back in the game of football, even though it's different."

Junior Taylor Heidari, the varsity center, said the new sport's level playing field attracted her. Most players are learning together, though some bring club flag football experience.

The Owls opened with a defensive stand. They intercepted a pass on the very first play. Freshman Kenzie Lewis then picked off another and returned it for a touchdown, giving Olathe West a lead it never relinquished.

"Excitement, but also kind of nervous because I still had to go back and play defense," Lewis told the Owl Post about the moment.

The defense held firm the rest of the way. Olathe West recorded five interceptions and allowed just one touchdown in the third quarter.

Teams may play six to 10 regular-season games, with the season concluding at a KSHSAA state tournament.